Officials familiar with the situation report that the White House and the Turkish government have reached a deal that will see detained US pastor Andrew Brunson released. He has been held for two years.

What is being reported, however, is that during Friday’s hearing, some of the charges against Brunson will be dropped, and that this will be enough for the court to let him go and leave the country.

Brunson has been held, like countless others in Turkey, on accusations of him being in league with banned cleric Fethullah Gulen. Turkey has accused Gulen of being behind a failed military coup, and has arrested thousands on claims of such connections.

Releasing Brunson removes one impediment to Turkey receiving F-35 aircraft, but there’s still the S-400 purchase from Russia.

from the NDAA:
–Sec. 1269.
Removal of Turkey from the F–35 program
(a) Findings
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The Government of the Republic of Turkey continues to unlawfully and wrongfully detain Andrew Brunson, a United States citizen, and continues to deny Mr. Brunson due process rights consistent with international norms. . .
(4) Congress will not tolerate any foreign government’s efforts to use United States citizens for political leverage.
(5) President Erdogan, along with other senior officials of the Government of the Republic of Turkey, have publicly and repeatedly stated the intention of the Government of the Republic of Turkey to purchase the S–400 system from Russia, an act that is sanctionable under current United States law. .. . .here

This is not a simple foreign military sale. Turkey is a member of the JSF consortium. Turkey is a level three partner in the Joint Strike Fighter program along with Australia, Canada, Denmark and Norway.